Improving Emergency Response Times in Folsom, Calif.

Many know Folsom, Calif., from the old Johnny Cash song “Folsom Prison Blues.” But the suburban town just east of Sacramento also faces challenges with a growing population and traffic congestion. The consequence of which has been delayed emergency response times.

With only two main thoroughfares through town, traffic builds up in many areas that, prevent the efficient response of emergency vehicles. The city’s downtown core, a popular place to dine and shop, is often used as a shortcut to drive over the American River. But with few ways across the river, roads are easily clogged.

The City of Folsom and the Folsom Fire Department chose LYT.emergency to speed up emergency/fire response times. Find out why.

Covering 26 signalized intersections in Folsom, LYT.emergency provides almost 2,000 monthly preemption calls to the Folsom Fire Department and their vehicles.  LYT.emergency opens up the roadway for fire vehicles to reach the incident scene unimpeded by pre-conditioning the intersection and pre-clearing the queues in the approaching direction.

One of the worst aspects of legacy preemption systems is the disruption that preemption causes to side street traffic. We’ve all been stuck in situations where a fire truck preempts a signal, and after the truck passes, we wait and wait and wait for the signal to cycle back into normal operation.

LYT.emergency has solved that issue. Our next-generation emergency vehicle preemption solution minimizes side street disruptions so that a preemption call is as seamless as possible.

(All photos courtesy of City of Folsom)